​Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m unbelievably weird and I fly my weirdness like a banner, which is admittedly a lot easier now that I’m an adult than it was as a child and teen, although there are still Those people even as adults who try to make you feel bad for going against the grain. I just no longer care, haha.
I moved around a lot as a kid. When I mention this, the first thing people assume is that we were a military family. It is true I spent my first seven years as the child of Navy parents, but that only accounted for two of the moves we made. The majority of our moves were because my dad needed work, and the most drastic/traumatic was the move from Idaho to Kentucky in 1999, when I was sixteen. I’ve actually got a memoir-ish book in the works about that part of my life, but it’s on the back burner for the moment. All the upheaval really affected me as a person, I think.
I’ve lived in Oregon for eleven and a half years, which is officially the longest I’ve ever been in one place. I have a wonderful husband, two lovely daughters, and three kitties. I’m very happy.
How do you find time to write?
I snatch every opportunity! I do all my writing in Google Docs, so I can access it across all my devices, which comes in handy on long car trips or when waiting around. My most productive time is usually at night after I get my kids in bed, however.
What’s your publishing tips?
Persevere! I feel lucky, having landed a contract after only about 17 queries/rejections, but I know that usually it takes a lot more than that.
Any promotional and marketing tips?
I’m still new to this and figuring out what works, but so far Twitter has been my favourite place to network. Not just for my benefit! It’s been great to connect with other authors in my genre and support each other with retweets and so forth.
Tell us about your recent book.
I’ve wanted to write about WWI for quite a while, because I’ve been dissatisfied with the overall quality of what’s out there in the fiction department. The War in Our Hearts began as my 2017 NaNo project, when I saw a picture in my head of a red-haired girl standing in a French barn. She became Aveline Perrault, and initially I thought the story would be primarily about her. As it turned out, however, Captain Jamie Graham (who finds her abandoned on a farm near the front lines) came along and completely took over in spite of everything. (Those characters, I tell you. Uncontrollable.) There’s also Jamie Graham’s clownish, womanising twin brother George; a runaway Shetland boy who is pretending to be twenty so he could go fight; and a cat who does not die at any point in the narrative.
Here’s the back cover copy!
France, 1916: Estelle Graham faces a nightmare. Expecting to meet her beloved husband and bring their newly adopted daughter home to Scotland, she instead finds him gravely injured and unconscious in a casualty station. As she fights for his care, she takes solace in his journals and letters.
In a farmhouse in Somme, Captain Jamie Graham is forever changed when he meets young Aveline Perrault. Both of them broken and walled off from the cruel and cold world around them—made even crueler and colder by the Great War—the pair form an unlikely bond. She finds in him the father she never had, and with her love, he faces the pain from his own childhood.
Discover the depth of love and faith in the face of brutality and neglect as they learn to live while surviving World War I. 


Eva Seyler
www.evaseyler.com

Buy now: https://amzn.to/2CInSCs

Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m an award-winning Jordanian-American author and communications professional based in Washington, DC. I currently work as a social media lead for an international development organization.  I have appeared on a number of national and international TV programs, including Larry King Live, PBS's Foreign Exchange with Daljit Dhaliwal, Paula Zahn show, CBS's This Morning, Scarborough Country, and BBC's Up all Night. My byline has appeared in the Washington Post, Al Jazeera, Huffington Post, and the Jordan Times, among many other outlets. My stories have been published in Geometry, The Timerbline Review and Fjords. My  debut novel They Called Me Wyatt will be published in June 2019 by California Coldblood Books, an imprint of Rare Bird Books. I’m the recipient of F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival award for short fiction. I was born in Amman, Jordan and moved to the US in my late twenties.

How do you find time to write?
I make it a point to write every day, rain or shine, early in the morning, when everyone in my family is asleep and right before I get ready for my day job. I write at the dining table, so that I can be close to the kitchen for my constant coffee refills.

 What are your publishing tips?
Don’t give up. Embrace the rejections. Also remember that there are different publishing options these days, and they are all legitimate. If you get a deal with one of the Big Five publishers, then that’s great, but you can also get published with a small press or even self-publish. What really matters is the writing.  Make sure it's stellar. That’s what will take you a long way. The rest is the cherry on the top.

Any promotional and marketing tips?
If you have a book coming out, pay lots of attention to Instagram. Post updates and connect with bookstagrammers. Provide them with ARCs and ask them to spread the word. They are a very supportive community, and some of them are top influencers.  Also, don’t forget about Instagram stories. Talk about your book, use hashtags and make friends. If you only had time for one social media, I would definitely choose Instagram

Tell us about your recent book 
My book is about Jordanian student Siwar Salaiha who after she gets murdered on her birthday in College Park, Maryland, her consciousness survives, finding refuge in the body of a Seattle baby boy. Stuck in this speech delayed three-year old body, Siwar tries but fails to communicate with Wyatt’s parents, instead she focuses on solving the mystery behind her murder. Eventually, her consciousness goes into a dormant state after Wyatt undergoes a major medical procedure.
​
Fast-forward twenty-two years. Wyatt is a well-adjusted young man with an affinity towards the Middle East and a fear of heights. While working on his graduate degree in Middle Eastern studies, Wyatt learns about Siwar’s death, which occurred twenty-five years ago. For reasons he can’t explain, he grows obsessed with Siwar and spends months investigating her death, which police at the time erroneously ruled as suicide. His investigation forces him to open a door he has kept shut all his life, a spiritual connection to an unknown entity that he frequently refused to acknowledge. His leads take him to Amman, Jordan where after talking to her friends and family members and through his special connection with the deceased, he discovers a clue that unravels the mystery of her death.

Natasha Tynes
Pre-order my novel They Called me Wyatt.

Out June 2019.

Tell us a bit about yourself, Amber. 
 
I’m from North Carolina, but I don’t have a Southern drawl as most people do in my town. About everyone I meet for the first time will ask me where I’m from, and it’s funny to see their shocked expressions when I say, “I’m from around here.” Most Southerners I’ve met think I’m from up north or another country, and the Northerners think I’m from England.
 
How do you find time to write? 
 
Sometimes it’s difficult, mostly because some days I just don’t have any ambition to write. I still try, however, since I feel bad about myself when I don’t. I hang personal deadlines over my head, so I’m always trying to get things done.
 
Publishing tips? 
 
For a new writer, don’t waste your time submitting your manuscript to one of the top five traditional publishers. It’s not impossible, but it’s very difficult to get noticed and chosen by the top dogs. With the way the publishing world is nowadays, it seems you need to know someone already in the business and/or writing for that publisher to help you out as a reference. In my opinion, it’s best to start with small presses and work your way up the ladder. After you get a few stories published and have firmly planted your feet in the publishing pool, then submit to bigger publishers, if you still want to.
FYI, writing for small and indie presses allows you as the author more freedom to write the stories you want to write. The guidelines aren’t as strict, and the presses accept a boarder range of stories and writing styles than the traditional publishing houses accept.
 
Any promotional and marketing tips? 
 
The publishing world is in an uproar, and I doubt it will smooth out anytime soon. To be successful, you need to know your audience and market your genre to those people. A reader who loves paranormal romance probably won’t be interested in a historical novel, and vise-versa. You gotta do a ton of promoting, whether you pick the free options or the ones that cost a fee. Most publishers offer little assistance, so the responsibility falls to the author. It can be a nightmare, but it’s something authors have to deal with and struggle through. After all, if the reader doesn’t know your name, he or she won’t buy your book.
Personally, I rely heavily on social media, blogging, interviews (like this one!), and contests/giveaways. Sometimes I buy online ads in magazines and on websites.
 
Tell us about your recent book. 
 
Erica was in a bad relationship and finally found the courage to break free. Even though she found help, a new love, and a chance for a better future, the past was still looming over her.
Dylan has retired from the New York music scene, and he now teaches kids how to play instruments. He’s gotten his life back together after all the drama of being a semi-star, and he and Erica have an instant connection.

 
Series: Deerbourne Inn (book 4)
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: February 11, 2019
ASIN: B07MFF8B8V
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 40k
Heat Rating: 3 Flames
 
Blurb
 
Out-of-work violinist Erica Timberly decides enough is enough. She leaves her abusive boyfriend and flees the big city, but then her car breaks down in the middle of the night. Though wary of men, she accepts help from Dylan Haynes, a stranger driving by on the road, and soon recognizes him as the sexy former drummer of her favorite indie rock band. Maybe, just maybe, her run of bad luck is finally turning around.
Music teacher Dylan Haynes knows Erica is in trouble, and her black eye is only the first clue. The stubborn yet vulnerable woman needs a friend, but he’s determined to give her everything she deserves.
Will Erica listen to the music in her heart and trust Dylan, or will her past always threaten her future?

Excerpt 
Erica leaned up and combed her fingers through her hair. “I’ve never made love outside before. It’s a surreal experience.”
“We can do it wherever you want. In an elevator, in an alley, in my car. I’m game anywhere and everywhere for as long as you want me.”
“I want you so much it hurts.”
Dylan thumbed her knuckles and hoped she meant that. “I don’t know how you feel about labels, but I haven’t had a girlfriend in years. I’ve just had flings, but I want more than that with you. I want us to be with each other and no one else. I want a relationship with you.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I feel divided in two. A part of me thinks we’re moving too fast, but another part says to jump in with both feet. I want something real with you too. I don’t want to feel dirty after we fool around. Just make me happy. Will you do that, Dylan?”
Her soft, pain-filled words struck Dylan like a dagger in his gut, and he bit the insides of his cheeks to steady his features.
Her ex-boyfriend had probably called her names and degraded her after they would find release in each other’s body, and the bastard likely never cared if she reached climax at all.
“I understand, Erica. I promise to treat you with nothing but respect, and I will do my very best to make you happy. I swear you will always scream your head off in pleasure every time I touch you. I’m not the sort of man to get my jollies off and leave my girl hanging.”
Her lips twitched up in a grin. “That’s good to hear.”
“So are you my girl?”
“Yeah, I’m your girl.” Erica giggled and tapped her fingers on his chest. “How could I not be? You make a very compelling argument, but I will have to hold you to it. I’m definitely looking forward to screaming every time you touch me.”
“Let’s rest, and then we’ll play again. The night’s early, and I’ve only just begun.”
 
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43225610-lyrical-embrace
 
Buy Links
 
Amazon – https://amzn.to/2ChIhNT
Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2ChIhgR
iTunes – https://apple.co/2M3T9mW
Kobo – TBA
Google Play – TBA
The Wild Rose Press store – https://bit.ly/2AIkSFk
Books2Read – http://books2read.com/u/m0MYaV
 
About the Author
 
Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.
Amber lives in North Carolina with her husband and four demanding cats. Feel free to visit her at http://www.amberdaultonauthor.blogspot.com.
 
Social Media Links
 
Facebook Author Page – www.facebook.com/amber.daulton.author
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AmberDaulton1
Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/amberdaulton5/
Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624921.Amber_Daulton
Amazon Author Page – http://amzn.to/14JoZff
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/amberdaultonauthor/
Book Bub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amber-daulton
Book Gorilla – https://www.bookgorilla.com/author/B00ALQITWY/amber-daulton/kcc
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/amberdaulton
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/pub/amber-daulton/87/538/368
Google Plus – https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AmberDaulton
The Wild Rose Press – https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/2362_amber-daulton
 

Writing historical romance stories set in rural townships of North Queensland, Australia, spanning the struggles settlers experienced between 1860 and 1898 is unfortunately not as easy as one would first think.
 
Writing journey
 
When first I embarked on my venture to write stories set in Australia there was never any doubt that I wanted my backdrop to be in and around where I grew up.  I didn’t want to delve into the modern settings, with my characters using all the technology we’ve been graced with in this day and age.  What I wanted to write was the stories of my ancestors who travelled from England to this grand island of ours and embarked on one of the greatest journeys of all time – civilising the north.
 
So when I sat down for the very first time and tried to put pen to paper I realised what I was wanting to bring to the world was a history few people knew anything about.  I mean who has ever heard of The Burdekin, or Rockhampton, or any of the other significant towns in Northern Australian history?  But these towns have grand histories and were established by people who loved each other enough to try and survive the hardships of starting a new beginning in a new country.  These were the romantic stories I want to give readers and show that Australian history is so much more than cork hats, pet kangaroo’s, or the stereotypical convicts my country has become known for.
 
Writing about Australia
 
When I first started submitting my work to publishers over fifteen years ago, many of them refused me on the grounds of the settings of my stories.  Most of them suggested that I move the backdrops to a more popular district in England or America and resubmit.  I was being told that my writing was superb but that no one wanted to read a story set in Australia.  It made no sense.  If my writing was so good, why could they not publish it?  Why should I have to change my settings when they already had so much history and romantic possibilities?  As I was told many times, Readers wanted to read stories set in England or America, not Australia.  So then why was I reading that people were searching for books set somewhere different?  And what about me?  I was a reader too, and though I love English romances, and am thrilled by American westerns, I wanted to read something set in my own country.
 
First publishing contract
 
So I started the very bumpy ride of writing what I wanted to read.  I submitted every script I wrote and read every rejection email that came in, my heart sinking a little more each time.  Then one day the most amazing thing happened.  I got an acceptance email offering me a contract for a book.  Thirteen books later, and several publishers too, and I’m still writing romances set in historical Australia.  But my books are more than just love stories.  My characters also travel through scandal and mystery, discovering cattle stations and opium dens, and uncovering stolen ruby necklaces and black opals.  A lot of research has had to go into each story, making certain I have the correct weapons for the time period, and slaves that were being traded out of Australia.  The list goes on – there are poisons, there are valuables, there are even mail order brides.  Romance aside, if these facts are not correct, then the story will falter and not be believable.
 
Researching for a novel
 
The internet, though limited for the areas I research, is a great tool to authors of today, but not everything can be found there.  I have had to rely on a lot of my own family history to be able to obtain the historical facts I have needed to create a picture in my reader’s mind of a place many people overseas and in Australia are not even aware existed. I have had to talk and listen to many old locals from my home town and rely on their photographs to be able to let me see the life I want my readers to see.  Australia is a passionate country, with an extremely passionate history, one so many people are dying to read about and escape to. 
 
Submitting to international publishers
 
Luckily for me and other upcoming Australian authors, many publishing houses are now more welcoming to manuscripts set outside of England, Europe and America.  For myself, having an American publisher still presents the odd barrier.  Language.  Most are simple changes I’ve had to get used to - learnt and learned; colour and color.  There have been other issues though too.  Australian slang.  Something that is hard enough to understand for most Australians, I’ve found is even harder for someone international to try to make sense of.  But as an author it is our job to breech this international language gap and bring a piece of Australia to our readers.
 
I’m not sure I’ll get the best seller I so crave, but I’ve managed to bring romantic Australian history to my readers and for now, that makes me very happy.
 
 
 
 
 
 

​Tell us a bit about yourself: b. 1940. Resident in the UK. Writer of poetry, literary criticism, speculative fiction and romance. Main poetry collection Prickling Counterpoints (1998); poems published in online International Times. Eco poetry collection, An Ever River, published by The Palewell Press, 2018. Main speculative works High Wired On (2002); Rock Bottom (2005). Translation of Spanish epic La Araucana, Amazon 2013. Romances: Dreamtime Sensuality I & II: Explorations; Further Explorations; Pearlman, Self’s Blossom – all available on Amazon. Self-published collection of erotic poetry and artwork, Sensual Rhapsody, 2015. Singer-songwriter/guitarist. Main CD albums Bacteria Shrapnel and Kaleidoscope Concentrate. Many tracks on You Tube, under ‘Dave Russell’. Editor of online magazine Poetry Express Newsletter, produced by Survivors Poetry and Music.


How do you find time to write? I must use slots of time available between various part-time jobs. It's a bit of a juggling act
 
What’s your publishing tips? Do a thorough trawl on the internet, and try out any outfit that seems to be on your wavelength
 
Any promotional and marketing tips? Circulate all the review sites. Also approach online journals where you might place excerpts from your work. Also look up other writers and propose review exchanges with anyone who seems to be your type.
 
Tell us about your recent book: “Pearlman,” by David Russell, is a novella of unparalleled breadth and a first-rate work of speculative fiction. It also draws on scientific accounts as it considers various issues, including synchronicities between nature and history. The writing is lush, and it pulls the reader into the story.. Myth, history, the earth, and science meet, mate, collide and get compressed and then decompressed into a panorama of the past, present and future possibilities for humanity.


Anything else you would like to add:  My other titles are: my translation of the Spanish epic La Araucana, which helped to inspire Pearlman; my romantic stories: Dreamtime Sensuality I & II; Explorations; Further Explorations; Self's Blossom; my poetry collections: Sensual Rhapsody and An Ever River.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live with my husband on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in the US. I love walking on the beach, riding our bike and laying in the sun. I enjoy travelling - one of my favorite places is England. I’m an avid reader, my favorites being paranormal, historical  and contemporary romance, time travel, mysteries, and Christmas stories.

I have a disease of the retina called Retinitis Pigmentosa.  This causes gradual vision loss. I lost the ability to read in my early twenties, but even when I had sight, seeing the printed word was always difficult for me. Reading a book would take me twice as long as a person with normal sight. I became frustrated with this and  began to make up my own stories. It wasn’t until the invention of computers and wonderful screen reading software that I was able to put my stories into words. Everything I type is read back to me aloud. This enables me to do my research and to  post on social media. This has truly opened a nw window of opportunity for me.

How do you find time to write?

I like to write early in the morning. If the words are flowing, I’ve been known to write all day. I do have problems sometimes with everyday distractions. The phone is constantly ringing, the laundry needs doing, or the house cleaned. But mostly I manage to write every day.

What are your publishing tips?

I suppose my tip would be persistence. I’ve had my share of rejections and had two small publishers close their doors just as my book was about to be released. It’s easy to feel discouraged, but if writing is your passion, follow the dream.

But before you submit your MS, make sure it’s as perfect as it can be. Have someone else read through looking for any editing and grammar mistakes you may have missed. I’ve judged a few writing contest and my number one advice for new writers is take online writing classes. These are usually inexpensive and are extremely helpful. You may have a great story, but if it’s full of mistakes, a publisher will reject it in a minute.

Any promotional and marketing tips?

I’m going to be honest and say marketing is my least favorite aspect of writing. I’ve been known to say I’d rather have hot pokers stuck in me than work on marketing. But this is part of selling your book, so it must be endured. I’ve found author interviews, blog tours, and reviews work for me.

Tell us about your recent book.

His Magic Touch is a paranormal romance set in New Orleans. Jared Dupre and Kendra O’Connell are wiccan witches who are about to get married. As Jared enjoys his bachelor party, a spirit appears telling him the demonic witch Adam Montief has kidnapped his brother vowing to kill him over a centuries-old vendetta Jared knows nothing about. Unaware Adam wants Kendra for his own,  Jared must rescue his brother and destroy Adam before Kendra is drawn into Adam’s world of dark magic and sadistic evil.

Anything else you would like to add?

I’d like to thank Liv for hosting me today and giving me an opportunity to tell readers a little about myself and my new release.
 
Debby Grahl
Author of Mystery, Magic, and Romance
Available from Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble: 
His Magic Touch, from Wild Rose Press;
Rue Toulouse,
The Silver Crescent, 
Decorated to Death (a Christmas cozy mystery),
The Haunted West, a paranormal western romance anthology,
Ebb and Flow, an Island Writers' Network anthology. 
Website:www.debbygrahl.com
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/debbygrahlauthor?ref=br_rs
Amazon Author Page -- https://www.amazon.com/Debby-Grahl/e/B00B34HM26
https://twitter.com/DebbyGrahl
https://www.bookbub.com/search/authors?search=debby%20grahl

Thank you so much for having me on your wonderful site, Liv. I’m happy to answer your questions and tell you about my December 27 release from I Heart Publishing, For the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman.
 
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Although I’ve lived or travelled in five of the seven continents, the last thirty years were spent mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, U. S. Senate committee staff assistant, speechwriter, birdwatcher, non-profit director, and parent. I hold a BA from Vassar College, a diploma in Arabic Studies from the American University in Cairo, and Masters in Anthropology and in Library Science from the University of Chicago.  All of this tends to insinuate itself into my work--twelve romantic suspense or murder mystery novels.
I have two fabulous grown children and an incredible granddaughter, and divide my between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
 
How do you find time to write? 
I’m very lucky that I’m retired and able to write full-time. That said, I do spend a few hours a day staring out the window, sweeping, going to the beach, and thinking.

What are your publishing tips? 
There’s been some debate among authors about whether to go with an independent publisher or self-publish. In 2015 my indie publisher had to close, and I was faced with that choice—if I were to re-publish second editions, should I go with a traditional publisher or do it myself. I chose an independent publisher for some of my books (the Wild Rose Press) and a hybrid publisher (I Heart Publishing) for some others. I love Wild Rose Press for their active support and personal approach to authors. I Heart takes care of the business end and leaves the editing and cover art to me, but offers a much larger royalty. I would suggest that new authors look into all the different types of publishers before choosing which will suit their needs and desires best.

Any promotional and marketing tips? 
Recently I’ve been spending more on advertising, but generally stick to free media sharing—Facebook, Yahoo groups, exchanging blogs. It actually may have a greater reach than a paid cover on a single issue of a magazine. But I am certainly no expert. One bit of advice—keep your website/blog up to date, informative, and colorful.
​
Tell us about your recent book.
I have two new novels, one cozy mystery romance:  Flotsam and Jetsam: the Amelia Island Affair from The Wild Rose Press, released December 17, and a romantic suspense thriller,  For the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman, released December 27.
 
Let me focus on the latest:. 
 
I admit it: For the Love of a Spy was born out of a delicious dream I woke slowly, savoring the romance, and latching onto the last line. It is in fact, the last line of the story. But you have to read the whole book to get to it. Thankfully, there’s quite a lot of good stuff—adventure, action, and romance—to help you through.
For the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman
I Heart Publishing, December 27, 2018
222 pp.; ebook 74,000 words
Spicy (PG-13)
 
Blurb:
When Maris Graystone, author of the political column The Scrivener, and the mysterious Michael Kinder, meet, sparks fly. Their love affair intensifies against the backdrop of the dramatic world events of 1991. Michael appears and disappears at unpredictable moments, leaving Maris limp and lovelorn. Looking for safe harbor for her emotions and her body, she accepts the advances of a dashing French diplomat.
 
Torn between the luxury and comfort of Émile and his chateau, and the romance of international intrigue with Michael, she must choose…but who?
 
 
Buy Links:
I Heart Publishing:  https://www.iheartbookpublishing.com/for-the-love-of-a-spy-the-scrivener-and-the-handyman.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KWW84WQ
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/909525
KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/for-the-love-of-a-spy-the-scrivener-and-the-handyman
B&N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1129945788
Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/for-the-love-of-a/9780463300268-item.html

Anything else you would like to add?
I hope readers will contact me at any of the following links. All reviews and thoughts are welcome!
Contacts:
Blog: https://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencerromance
Twitter: www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msspencerauthor/
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MSSpencerauthor
Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/msspencerauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/m-s-spencer
 
My calendar of events can be found here:
Romance Books 4 Us: http://www.romancebooks4us.com/M.S._Spencer.html
 
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/M.S.-Spencer/e/B002ZOEUC8/
 
I Heart Author Page:
http://www.iheartbookpublishing.com/m-s-spencer.html
 

How do you find time to write?
I make time. I'm a professional author, so I don't squeeze it in between all my other commitments or do it whenever. It's a job, so I schedule time out of my life to do it, and fit other things around it. 
 
What’s your publishing tips?
Whatever path you choose, research your industry, and network with others who've done it. Want to go traditional? Follow agent blogs and chat up traditionally published authors. Want to go indie? Hang out with indie authors and read indie publishing blogs. Make friends. Don't just talk shop with them, but develop a genuine interest in them. After all these people are going to be your peers and potential cheer squad.
 
Any promotional and marketing tips? 
 
I've found my best ROI is when I market to people who are actively looking to buy books. Newsletter promo lists (like Fussy Librarian or Freebooksy) have worked well for me, while banner ads on websites... not so much.

Tell us about your recent book.

Actually, my recent book is a Fantasy Romance trilogy. I released the first book, God of the Dark in October, Bride of the Dark soon after, and the final book, House of the Dark, in December.  I was inspired by the stories from Greek mythology and the cover art reflects the art found on Grecian urns. While some readers have described Of The Dark as a Persephone retelling, it's so much more than that. I also relied heavily on the stories of Zeus and Hera, Adrasteia, and others. I was also influenced by the Reluctant Hero trope. 
 
Adrastea, a simple country healer, is surprised to receive a marriage proposal from the Dark God Mor-Lath. As a devotee of a rival god, of course she turns him down. She was raised on chilling tales of this Chthonic being who drags the souls of the unrepentant to Dom-al-gol. Adrastea loves her simple country life of brewing medicines and saving lives. Marriage to Mor-Lath would greatly complicate things. Besides, why would the Dark God propose to her?
 
Undaunted by her refusal, Mor-Lath insists on courting her. Sometimes he is charming, winning over the other villagers, but other times, she sees him for the dark god he truly is. He refuses to let anyone stand in his way. While he makes it clear he'll only have her willingly, he's making it very difficult for her to say no. She wonders, what is he really after?
 
Adrastea faces a quandary: if she accepts the Dark God's marriage proposal, she'll lose her very soul. But if she rejects it, the world itself and everything in it might be at stake. Either way, the price is too high.
​

​Tell us a bit about yourself 
 
All my life I wanted to write, and tell stories. For most of it I made excuses not to do so, so I’m a late bloomer. I was in my wild days a rock guitarist, poet, songwriter, and gave it all up for love. Then I was busy raising children, renovating houses and working sixty plus hours a week. I will always be grateful to my wife for buying me a laptop and telling me “no more excuses, go and write that damn book,” when I pestered her once too often about an idea I had for a story. Sometimes, I think she regrets that now as book number nine is contracted and nearing completion.
 
There are two fabulous things about being an author, for me. Number 1: the inborn need to tell a story, and if I can entertain a reader for a while; take them out of their day to day lives and take them to a place inside my imagination, well that’s just about heaven. Number 2: When someone does read one of my books, and takes the time to post a review, send me an email, or stop me at a party to talk about the characters I’ve created for their enjoyment…… Well, I tell you, there ain’t enough money in the world to buy that feeling. Is that egotistical? Probably.
 
How do you find time to write? 
 
The main protagonist and my favorite character of all time of my creation, Jenny in Thirty Three Days says at one point, “Ah, if only there was more time.” Now in her case, the book is about time travel and trying to save the world, and she only has thirty-three days to do it. But for me the line sums up my writing – if ONLY I had more time to write. Ideas rattle around in my head all the time, and when I get ‘in the zone’ I don’t want to stop for anything, but sadly, I have to; real life gets in the way. The solution, for me, was said to me once by one of my old bosses: “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it; they will make time.” – that sums up my writing, I’m so busy, but I always make time to write, because its my passion. I work for a living, but write for a passion.
 
What’s your publishing tips? 
 
Write from your heart, and edit with your head. To complete a first draft of a novel is a celebration – lots of people will never get that far. Know that in that form, it is the worst it will ever be. From there is up, up, up as it gets better. I personally never do less that five rewrites, before I let anyone else see the MS.
Being an author means never giving up. Life is full of rejection. Especially being Australian, it is impossible to get an agent – the few we have are all too busy unless you’ve already written a bestseller. The big agencies overseas are not that keen either, which I can understand. Receiving a pile of rejections doesn’t mean you can’t write, but I do believe they make you better at your craft.
 
Any promotional and marketing tips? 
Sadly, writing a book and completing it is just the beginning. Then comes getting it published and that is not easy. But then, when all that is done and you get your cover art and final edited rounds completed and released, then the hard work comes – promoting it. I don’t have any magic formulas, but Twitter announcements, appearing on fellow authors blogs (like this one) Facebook parties etc all help to build a profile. And if you can get some good reviews, that helps enormously too.
 
 
Tell us about your recent book.
 
Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer is Book 1 of the Deadly Glimpses Trilogy and has just been released by The Wild Rose Press. The three books tell the story of four people and the effects of desire between the two central characters, a married twenty year veteran cop, and a married glamorous Criminal Psychologist he is paired with. Each book is a stand alone story of them investigating three different serial killers, while the desire between them grows, as does the effect on their marriages. Book 2 has just passed it’s final editing round and should be released within two months, while the explosive finale should be out within six months.
Glimpse, Memoir of a Serial Killer:
In Perth, Australia, 1999, Sergeant Rick McCoy investigates the murder of a woman found butchered and packed inside a suitcase, left at the Midland Dump.
The Killer then abducts another victim and threatens to dismember her slowly and send Rick a piece of her each day he goes uncaught. Rick's life is further complicated by a marriage in tatters after an affair he had. With the approaching end of the millennium, and the threat of computers shutting down due to the Y2K bug, his wife Juliet relents and forgives him.
Frustrated at every turn in his investigation, he is paired with glamorous Criminal Psychologist and profiler, Patricia Holmes, and the mutual attraction is instantaneous.
While trying to rebuild his marriage, he finds himself in a desperate race against time to free the victim and fight his desire for his new partner. They are pitted against a narcissistic sociopath, capable of extreme cunning and strategical planning, who seeks revenge against Rick for a wrong in his troubled childhood.
Available via Amazon, check it out here:  http://a.co/d/g3BXX1t
Readers can contact me and follow me here:
http://www.stephen-b-king.com
twitter: @stephenBKing1
Facebook: @stephenbkingauthor
 
Anything else you would like to add 
 
I’d like to thank my fellow Wild Rose Press, and fellow Aussie, author Liv for having me on board. It’s been a pleasure sharing some thoughts with you, I wish you lots of success with your upcoming release. I always respond to emails, so if anyone would like to chat more, drop me a line. I also can provide personally signed books of mine via my website.
Merry Christmas to all and your families
 
SBK

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Tell us a bit about yourself 
 
Growing up, my first love was acting.  I auditioned for, and got the role of Peter Rabbit in third grade.  I always enjoyed writing stories though, and for many years I told people “I’m an actor who can write.”  But now, I consider myself a writer and an actor—equally.  When I need a break from writing for hours, I love to walk.  I live in the Hudson Valley, NY and there is a beautiful nature walk along the shores of the Hudson River.  But, with my hometown being Laguna Beach, California, I also love to swim in the ocean and lay on the beach.
 
 
How do you find time to write? 
 
Well, since I ride the train into NYC round trip every day, which equals almost three hours—I write on the train!  I also carve out about three to six hours every Saturday and Sunday.  That, coupled with a full time office day job of forty hours a week makes it challenging to keep up the writing schedule.  However, when I see the results of a moving, emotional chapter or paragraph—it’s all worth it!
 
What’s your publishing tips? 
 
I began really focusing on one story.  I got serious and attended writer’s conferences and live pitched literary agents.  I also enrolled in online writing workshops and read as many agent and editor interviews I could.  I finally decided to go beyond the literary agent submissions and try something different, especially since the agents couldn’t seem to put my book into a category.  I wasn’t horror.  I wasn’t romance, but I was something in between.  The reassuring part was that more and more agents liked my plot and encouraged me to keep trying.  After gathering a list of eBook publishers (listed on another writer’s blog) who didn’t require representation, I began new submissions.  One of those publishers on that list was The Wild Rose Press.  I worked with one of their editors for a year, and now I’m under contract with them.  I’m very excited!  So, I would advise budding writers to not get locked into just getting an agent.  Having an agent is great and I hope to be in partnership with someone one day myself, but if I’d stuck to only that outcome—I’d still be unpublished today.
 
Any promotional and marketing tips? 
 
Having just received my contract from The Wild Rose Press, I’m in the process of learning how to do promotion and marketing.  I do have my own website which I built myself on Weebly.com for free.  When I upgrade it, so that I can attach videos, etc. I’ll pay monthly.  I’m not quite there yet, but soon.  I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, but I’ll have to add Pinterest and Google Plus.
 
Besides my own book promotion, I’ve begun blogging with a weekly “Creativity Cue” post, which is an inspirational pearl of wisdom for creativity.  Some weeks it’s about writing and some weeks it’s about acting.  I also love to speak to the concept of creative intuition.  What stimulates a new story in your mind?  What or who makes you feel giddy, frightened, playful, or sad?  It’s something different that I like to throw in the mix of book marketing and has connected with many people on an emotional level.
 
That said—I look forward to becoming an engaging and fun marketing whiz in the near future!
 
Tell us about your recent book.
 
Years ago, after completing a screenwriting course online, I couldn’t stop thinking about a strong female psychic heroine who communicates with ghosts and saves innocent people from dark creatures as a Paranormal Cleanser.  I began writing Bay of Darkness and over the years the story and heroine evolved tremendously.  My lead character Vivien Kelly must face her own dark side by channeling an ancient Celtic life of treachery, war, and murder or she will not be able to defeat Dagda—a Celtic demon. Compelled to the Northern California town of Half Moon Bay, she finds Dagda’s creatures tormenting the locals—from a Fear Dorcha to the Headless Horseman.  The Kelly Society is then born—her own paranormal cleansing team.  Recruiting Shawn Wilson, a young psychic woman (who becomes Vivien’s protégé), John Patrick, a retired Celtic Mythology professor, and Jason Lee, an ace photographer—they go full force to stop evil.  Vivien must also face a fear of opening her heart to love.  After witnessing the murder of her fiancé and almost dying herself, she vows to stay on her own.  But, when called upon to banish a Banshee, the gorgeous man who’s occupied Vivien’s psychic dreams for the past three years opens the door.  Neal Harrington is also intensely drawn to her, but doesn’t know why.  All is revealed, as Vivien must ultimately go face to face with the demon to save the modern world from plunging into darkness and living under Dagda’s rule.
 
And that is a peek into my paranormal adventure book Bay of Darkness, which will be published in 2019.  The two books following will be a continuation of Vivien and her team’s story, but with new creatures, locations, challenges, and love stories.
 
Thank you for having me Olivia!
 
 
Starra’s Website:  https://starraandrews.weebly.com
Twitter:  @magicstarra
Instagram:  starraandrews
 
Starra’s Author Bio:
 
When Starra Andrews wasn't swimming the Pacific ocean in her hometown of Laguna Beach, California, she busied herself by writing fantasy stories and acting on stage.  Having grown up watching Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone and Night Gallery shows on TV, Starra quickly fell in love with paranormal tales with a message of wisdom and love.  Also, being a fan of romance novels and non-fiction ghost stories, she decided to marry the two and write paranormal novels of suspense, adventure, and intrigue with a strong romantic foundation.  The sense of adventure inside her came from summers of camping with her family in Mexico (Baja California) and walking along beaches with no other footprints but hers, as her family members unpacked the camper and got ready to collect clams right off the shoreline for dinner.  After attaining a B.A. degree in Theatre from University of California, Irvine, and a Professional Acting Certificate from LACC Acting Academy, an idea sparked for interviewing actors to help student actors entering the theatre arena.  Starra’s non-fiction book The Pursuit of Acting; Working Actors Share Their Experience and Advice was published by Praeger Publishers/ABC CLIO.  Then, her paranormal short story A Hasty Decision appeared in the online magazine for speculative fiction Aberrant Dreams, and when Llewellyn Worldwide Publishers asked for real paranormal encounter stories for their Scary Story Contest, she won first place.  Starra is also a member of the International Thriller Writers, which hosts the Thrillerfest writers conference every year in NYC.
The beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York is where Starra now calls home.  She loves being a quick train ride from New York City, but also enjoys country life.  Her two tabby cats Audrey Hepburn and Vivien Leigh are her constant writing companions, and love to curl up on the table next to her laptop.

Her heroine, psychic/paranormal cleanser Vivien Kelly and her team are in a race to rid the modern world of deadly Celtic creatures in her book trilogy, The Kelly Society.  Bay of Darkness is the first book of the series.